Health chiefs struggle with autism referral demand

The National Autistic Society says there are more than 700,000 people in the UK with the condition

Health chiefs in north Wales have said they cannot increase their services to meet a big rise in neurodiverse conditions such as autism since the Covid pandemic.

New reported cases across the region have gone up from about 200 a month to 400.

That means children, parents and those waiting to be assessed for such conditions, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are facing months or years before diagnosis.

Dr Nick Lyons of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it faced the same challenges as others across the UK in offering “timely access” to such assessments.

“Before the Covid-19 pandemic, our neurodevelopment service received around 200 referrals every month," said the board's executive medical director.

"In 2023 that figure has increased to almost 400 per month.

“Regrettably, it has not been possible to increase our clinical capacity to match this increase in demand.

“Demand for this service far outweighs capacity, which is known to be a national issue, and we continue to work proactively with partners to future-proof the service.

“We do not underestimate how difficult these long waits can be for children and their families and we are continuing to do all we can to reduce waiting times."

Dr Lyons said Betsi Cadwaladr had been working with the Welsh government for the past 18 months "to begin to deliver the national neurodivergence programme".

He said a team was in place to look at how the service can be modernised to help patients and their families.

The board is also carrying out trials on new ways of working.

One of these involves working with schools to allow them to support children who have difficulties which could be linked to a neurodevelopmental condition.